8 week old yellow lab sleeping a lot

I just got an 8 week old yellow lab puppy I have had him for 1 day and he is sleeping a lot and has diahhrea but there is no vomit.

Is this normal for a new puppy or should I be worried about parvo?




Hi
This is always a tricky one! It's not at all unusual for a puppy to sleep a lot for the first few days after he comes to his new home. It's a fairly common reaction to the stress and homesickness he's feeling.

Diarrhea is also often seen due to stress and maybe a sudden change in diet. Both of these will sort themselves out within a few days to a week, if they are simply part of his adjustment process.

Of course, as you mention, Parvo is always a big concern for any puppy owner, and diarrhea and lethargy are early signs of this disease.

The clue really lies in how your puppy is behaving otherwise. If he has periods of happy activity during the day, when he's willing to play with his toys (and you) and will run around, that's a good sign. If he's also eating and drinking okay (although a slight loss of appetite can be another sign of stress), isn't suffering from repeated vomiting, and his diarrhea isn't watery or bloody, chances are he's just fine.

If however, he is experiencing repeated, severe diarrhea often accompanied by vomiting, if he refuses food and/or water and can't keep it down, if he seems totally exhausted and you can't interest him in toys or treats, then he could well be sick. In that case, take him to a veterinarian immediately. Many of the most common canine illnesses need early treatment if your puppy is to recover.

Hope this helps you to sort it out, but if you're ever in doubt it's always better to have a vet look at your puppy. Better safe than sorry! Good luck.